Merry Christmas to all and to all a good read!
Fallen Angels Arc Finale Chapter 20: Aftermath
"Woah there, tall, wood, and ugly. Don't go crushing my people now," said the familiar male voice of someone wearing a red leather jacket, standing on the ground with the whole group behind him. The group looked up, their eyes widening in shock as they realized who had shown up, yelling in unison, "JIRO?!"
"Yo, how's it hanging?" Jiro said, looking at the group over his shoulder. They looked at him and smiled in relief as they all stood up.
Irina and Asia: "Glad to see you."
Raynare: "Took you long enough."
Rias and Akeno: "Jiro"
Kiba and Koneko: "Hey"
Kalawarner, Dohnaseek, Mittelt, and Freed look on from atop the abandoned church, shocked by Jiro's sudden appearance. The amount of power they sense from him makes them shiver in fear slightly.
"Who the hell is that guy?!" Dohnaseek asked, eyes wide. "Where did he come from?"
"W-wait, he's the one Raynare was supposed to kill?" Kalawarner said, recognizing him since she and Raynare had observed him sometime before Raynare approached him.
"I thought he was just some delinquent punk with a strange power that made him a potential threat, but do you sense that crazy power from him?! What's the deal?!" Mittelt said, stepping back in fear slightly.
Freed narrows his eyes upon seeing Jiro's face. "DAMN IT, IT'S THAT PUNK AGAIN!! THE ONE THAT KEEPS TRYING TO KILL ME!!" Freed yelled in irritation at seeing Jiro again.
"So what the hell is this thing?" Jiro asked, turning and looking up at the giant Lullaby.
"That's the flute, Lullaby. It's a demon from The Book of Zeref. We didn't expect this to happen, though." Raynare said, glaring at the demon.
Jiro's eyes widened in surprise and recognition. "Wait, a demon from The Book of Zeref?! So that's why it sounded so familiar when you explained it before." Jiro said, to which the group's eyes widened as well as they looked at him.
"Wait, you know about those things, Jiro-kun?" Irina asked, voicing everyone's thoughts.
"Yes, I do, but I'll explain another time," Jiro said, to which they nodded. 'Come to think of it, that stray devil Viser's name also sounded familiar. And this thing has a similar aura to hers, so maybe...' Jiro thought to himself and then turned to the fallen angels and Freed atop the abandoned church.
"I'm guessing they're the leaders of the fallen angels that are attacking the town and the ones trying to take Asia's sacred gear?" Jiro asked, to which Raynare and Asia responded in unison, "Yes, they are."
Jiro's eyes narrowed as he saw the fourth person there. "Oh, and that jackass, Freed Sellzen, is there too," Jiro said in a low tone.
Irina's eyes widened in concern as he addressed the stray priest. "Hey now, you promised you wouldn't try to harm Freed-kun, so don't even try it." Irina said, pouting.
"Yeah, yeah, I know, I'll restrain myself... for now." Jiro said, scratching the back of his head. Irina sighed in relief upon hearing this.
"So, wait, what have you been doing all this time while we were going to that church and fighting this thing?" Rias asked, Akeno, Kiba, and Koneko thinking the same thing.
"I teleported all the townspeople out of town, put them to sleep, and altered their memories. Thankfully, no one died or was badly hurt. When they wake up, they'll have no memory of the fallen angels and stray exorcists attacking. Instead, they'll believe a powerful earthquake caused the damage to the town." Jiro said, to which everyone nodded.
"Alright, now it's time to deal with the creature in the woods," Jiro said, cracking his neck and knuckles while smiling. Lullaby looked down at him in surprise and annoyance.
"YOU THINK YOU CAN BRING ME DOWN, WEAKLING?! YOU MUST BE CRAZY! I'LL DEVOUR YOUR SOUL ALONG WITH THE OTHERS!!" Lullaby roared, flaring its purple aura.
"Oh yeah, I'm crazy. Crazy like a fox," Jiro said as he summoned the Boosted Gear on both his arms. Everyone's eyes widened in shock as he did so, apart from Irina, Raynare, and Asia, who already knew.
"YOU... YOU'RE THE RED DRAGON EMPEROR?!" Rias yelled in shock, to which Jiro responded, "Yes, I am."
The others looked on in shock and astonishment at the revelation. Rias was secretly disappointed that she couldn't add such a strong individual to her peerage.
Akeno: "To think we'd see the Boosted Gear here so suddenly."
Kiba: "I knew you had some serious power underneath, but... wow."
Koneko: "Badass"
Dohnaseek and Mittelt: "The Boosted Gear?! The Longinus?! The Red Dragon Emperor?! That guy is..."
Kalawarner: "Are you telling me that the power of the Welsh dragon is in his hands?"
Freed: "Damn it, I would kill for a weapon like that."
"Now then, this big bastard is all mine. You guys stay here and enjoy the show." Jiro said, making the group look at him in shock at his statement.
"What, you want to fight that thing by yourself?!" Irina said in concern. "No way, we should all fight it together!"
"Nah, you guys have done enough. Sit here and rest; I'm more than enough for this monster alone." Jiro said, looking at her over his shoulder with a confident smile.
"There you go with that arrogance again! There's no way you can handle that demon all by yourself!" Irina protested in annoyance and crushing worry.
"Oh, I think I can. Like I said, you just sit here, rest, and enjoy the show, Ri-Ri-chan." Jiro said, turning back and looking up at Lullaby.
"Now, big boy, tell me: is a demon such as yourself capable of experiencing fear?" Jiro said, bursting into red flames and transforming into his true form, Dragon Force.
Jiro's red eyes changed shape to that of dragon eyes with vertical black slits in the middle. His teeth sharpened into fangs, revealed by his wide-eyed smile. A red mark resembling a red flame formed on the left side of his forehead, going over his left eye. Red streaks appeared on parts of his upper back, length, spiky, black hair. Large red dragon wings, and a red spiky, pointed tail sprouted from his upper and lower back. The Boosted gear gauntlets he still had equipped, acted as dragon claws, completing the draconic look.
Everyone present, including Lullaby, looked at him in utter shock and awe as he changed appearance and burst with power. Even Irina, who had seen him in this state before, couldn't help but shudder at the sight. The others all shivered in fear and recognition.
"That power from that night, it was you?!" Raynare, Asia, Freed, the devils, and fallen angels yelled in unison as they realized the immensely powerful aura they felt the night Jiro and Irina reunited came from him. Lullaby regained its composure and flared its purple aura again as it growled and clenched its fists.
"Alright, Lullaby, let's see what you've got... CAUSE I'M ALL FIRED UP NOW!!!" Jiro yelled with a wide-eyed smile as larger flames exploded from him. Jiro planted his foot down and burst into the air, with enough force that the group behind him almost fell backward from the shockwave and wind pressure.
Jiro flies towards Lullaby with great speed, too fast for it to avoid him. He draws his right claw/gauntleted fist back, engulfed in red flames.
"DOMINATE DRAGON'S... IRON FIST"
Jiro yelled as he landed a devastating punch to Lullaby's face, creating a massive fiery explosion upon impact with Lullaby, knocking it back several feet while it fell backwards, roaring in pain from the burns. Everyone on the ground all yelled "WOAH!!" in surprise and awe at Jiro's attack.
Lullaby falls backwards, but before it can hit the ground, Jiro flies underneath it.
"NOW DOMINATE DRAGON'S... TALONS"
Jiro yelled as he threw a massive flaming kick at the demon's back, creating another explosion on contact and sending it flying upwards. Jiro follows up by flying up after it and landing a flurry of flaming punches and kicks all over its body while flying circles around it in mid-air, keeping it from falling as he does so. Jiro then stops his assault, grabs Lullaby's right arm, flies upwards, lifting the demon with ease, and flips Lullaby over his shoulder.
Lullaby falls and hits the ground with immense force, causing it to shake tremendously. The impact creates a strong wind pressure that blows rocks and trees everywhere. Everyone on the ground holds their ground, trying not to be blown away, as Asia almost is before Raynare and Irina grab her arms to stop her.
When the wind and dust subsided, Jiro landed on a large rock in a superhero manner, still shrouded in flames, and looked up at Lullaby. Lullaby slowly sat up and got back to its two feet. Jiro grinned as he also stood up straight on the rock.
"Who, exactly is the monster here again?" Akeno said, gobsmacked.
Lullaby sat up and looked down at Jiro while trembling uncontrollably. "Well, would you look at that? You can experience fear." Jiro said, smiling smugly.
"You're pretty tough, but why don't we finish this here and now?" Jiro said as he clenched his claws/gauntleted fists and took a fighting stance. Lullaby roared in anger as a purple light started glowing in its mouth.
The group on the ground looked on in fear as they recognized the light. "JIRO-KUN... THAT ATTACK!!!" Irina yelled in concern.
"Yeah, I know, I saw this from afar earlier, but it's a good way to finish this thing off." Jiro said as he lifted his claws/gauntleted hands, cupping them together as a fireball formed between them. He then brought his cupped claws down to his right hip as the fireball increased in size, heat, and power.
"DOMINATE DRAGON'S SECRET ART... "
Lullaby turns its head, aiming down at Jiro, and unleashes its purple blast from its mouth.
"...BRILLIANT FLAME... KA ME... HA ME... HAAAAA..."
Jiro roared as he thrust his arms upwards, and a massive blast of flames shot out of Jiro's palms, colliding with Lullaby's blast. The two beams struggled against each other for several seconds, illuminating the area in red and purple light. Everyone else watched in bated breath, wondering who would overcome the other, as Asia and Akeno yelled, "JIRO-SAN/JIRO-KUN... YOU CAN DO IT!!!" in unison.
Jiro then smirks and yells "HAAAAA" as his flame blast increases in size and power, overpowering Lullaby's blast. Jiro's flame blast vaporizes Lullaby's blast, engulfing its head. Lullaby roars in pain as the blast explodes around its head.
When the explosion dies down, it reveals Lullaby missing its head as its body falls backward and lands on the ground, dead. Everyone, especially the fallen angels and Freed, looks on, gobsmacked, as they gaze at the large, lifeless body of the demon on the ground.
Lullaby reverted to its normal flute form, which was now gray and had a crack on the skull part. Jiro walked up and stepped on the flute, crushing it as the pieces evaporated into the air. He then turned his head to the fallen angels and Freed atop the abandoned church.
"Looks like you've failed your mission, what a shame," Jiro said with a mocking grin, revealing his fangs. Kalawarner, Dohnaseek, Mittelt, and Freed glared at him in anger and defeat, but also in astonishment and fear at his strength.
Mittelt: "H-he actually k-killed Lullaby."
Dohnaseek: "D-damn it, after all that searching and preparation."
Kalawarner: "G-guess we should expect no less from the Red Dragon Emperor."
Freed: "Th-that bastard, all that hard work down the drain."
Jiro then suddenly appeared right in front of them as though he had teleported, giving them a threatening grin as he glared at them with his red, glowing, dragon eyes. The four of them trembled in fear as he glared at them. They witnessed his power and felt his seething hot aura, knowing none of them stood a chance against him. They all took a step back and braced themselves, believing this was the end of their lives.
"Hmph, you know this is the part where I would kill all of you, but I promised Irina that I wouldn't kill this jackass, but you three..." Jiro said, pointing at Freed and then looking at all four of them as he summons a fireball in his claw/gauntleted hand.
The fallen angels looked on in fear as Jiro increased the size of the fireball and prepared to throw it at them. As Jiro threw his blast of flames, Kalawarner, thinking fast, wasted no time in summoning magic circles beneath each of them and teleported them away just in time for the blast to nearly miss them, avoiding getting incinerated. Jiro brought his blast down and looked at the spot where they had just been and smirked, choosing not to try and pursue them. His letting them go was secretly intended to be a challenge to the fallen angel leader, one he wondered would make him back off or cause more trouble.
Jiro then flies up, floats to the group, and lands, reverting back to his human appearance. The seven of them look at him, still in shock from the fight they just witnessed. Irina is the first to regain her composure.
"J-Jiro-kun that was... incredible, I'm sorry, I doubted you." Irina said, sheepishly.
Jiro chuckled at her words. "Heh, heh, don't worry about it, but I'm glad you enjoyed the show," Jiro said, smiling reassuringly while he secretly wanted to impress her. Irina smiled at him in turn with a hint of affection.
Raynare then stepped forward. "If I'm not mistaken, I just saw those four get away. Why aren't you going after them?" Raynare asked, frowning.
"Because I want them to report back to Kokabiel and show him that one of his plans had failed," Jiro said in a carefree tone, to which Raynare sighed but nodded. Jiro's expression then softened as he turned to Asia.
"You're in luck Asia, you don't gotta worry about the fallen angels, no more. I don't think they'll be coming after you after today." Jiro said with a reassuring smile.
Asia's shoulders slumped upon hearing his words. "Thank goodness, thank you, Jiro-san," Asia said, putting her hand on her chest and sighing in relief.
The devils watched the interaction between the four of them silently as they began to relax, the shock wearing off, but there was still one question on their minds. Koneko steps up to Jiro, her usual emotionless expression returning as she voices their thoughts.
"Alright, I'm gonna address the elephant in the room here. What the hell did you just turn into? And what the hell are you?" Koneko said in her usual deadpan voice while pointing at Jiro. The other devils, Raynare, and Asia were wondering the same thing and looked at him, expecting an explanation.
Jiro looks down at her and chuckles. "Heh, oh, let me explain that," Jiro said as he started explaining. He proceeded to explain his transformation from human to dragon and the power of the Boosted Gear.
Koneko: "Wow, you used to be a human?"
Akeno: "And now you're a full blown dragon?"
Kiba: "And the way you look now is your way of blending in with humans and suppressing your power?"
Rias: "May I ask you to reconsider your refusal to become my servant?"
Jiro nodded at their questions and glared at Rias while saying "It's not happening" to which Rias pouted.
Raynare: "Once again, in all my years, even I didn't know this. I've met past users of the Boosted Gear before, but I've never seen any of them use it to become a full-blooded dragon."
Asia: "Wow, that's so cool."
Jiro and Irina chuckled at their words, then Irina glanced at Raynare and Asia, as well as the student council.
"Oh yeah, I don't think we introduced you properly. This is Raynare, the fallen angel you may know as the one who... tried to get close to Jiro-kun, but he convinced her to join our side. Don't worry, she's not so bad once you get to know her." Irina said, gesturing to Raynare, who made a "hmph" sound as she crossed her arms under her chest.
The devils nodded at her, while Akeno looked at her with an apprehensive look. Since Raynare had helped them fight against Lullaby, they knew she was at least not a potential enemy, but they didn't quite trust her fully just yet.
"And this is Asia Argento. She's a former nun with the Sacred Gear Twilight Healing. She's really easy to get along with, so be nice to her." Irina said, gesturing to Asia who bowed in response.
The student council looked at her in surprise that she had such a rare sacred gear. Rias then approached her with a smile. "Hey, Asia, was it? I have a proposition for you." Rias said, making Asia look at her in curiosity.
"You're not adding her to your peerage, blood hair." Jiro said as he grabbed Rias's head and squeezed it, lifting her up, which made her yell "Kyaaa!".
Jiro let go of her head, to which she rubbed it while pouting again. "Anyway, I saw you four fighting from the roof of my house while I was teleporting all the town's residents, and I gotta say; it seems that you actually started fighting as a proper unit now, so that's good to see." Jiro said, smiling, to which they smiled in turn.
They took his advice about teamwork to heart after they fought Viser and chose to act on it to great success. They then began to remember Jiro's cold, passive-aggressive, and somewhat hostile attitude towards them just days prior and felt relieved that he was now being more friendly towards them. They believed since Irina, his long lost friend had returned to him, it allowed his distain towards devils to diminish, much to their relief. Rias in particular smiled hoping this could mean he was starting to see her kind in a new light.
"Now then, we'll discuss future plans another time. As for right now, why don't we all go home? I'm sure you all need a good rest after today," Jiro said. They all nodded, and as if on cue, the exhaustion from all the fighting began to catch up with them, and they all slumped their shoulders.
Asia then approached the devils. "Here, give me your hands and I'll heal you. I can't bring down your exhaustion, but I can heal all your injuries," Asia said as she summoned her sacred gear on her middle fingers and reached out her hands for them to take, which they did, Rias and Akeno holding her left hand while Kiba and Koneko held her right.
Asia's hands glowed green, and the devil's eyes widened in surprise as their cuts and bruises vanished, and the pain faded completely. "Wow, that's a very useful power of yours, Asia-chan," Akeno said, smiling. Asia giggled and replied, "I know. I'm happy to help."
After Asia finished healing the devils, she turned to Irina and started healing her as Jiro turned to Raynare. "So, where are you gonna stay? Sorry, I don't think I have anymore room in my house," said Jiro, to which Raynare looked up in contemplation.
"I don't know. I guess I'll just stay here since I don't have anywhere else to go and I already have a room in the basement of the place." Raynare said thoughtfully, turning towards the abandoned church.
"Is that okay with you, Irina?" Raynare asked, turning towards Irina, remembering she had said her father once owned the church, so it must be a sentimental place for her. Asia finished healing Irina as she nodded.
"Sure, go ahead. You said you didn't have anywhere else to stay, and you did help us fight off the fallen angels in there and Lullaby, so you deserve it. The place is yours." Irina said cheerfully, to which Raynare smiled and nodded.
Asia then takes Raynare hands and starts to heal her with a shy expression, signaling that she wanted to say something. "Something wrong, Asia?" Raynare asked, noticing her expression.
"U-um, since you're going to stay, um, I would like to stay here with you as well," Asia said shyly, as the others looked at her in surprise, especially Raynare.
"Really? You want to live there along with me, why?" Raynare asked, genuinely curious.
"Because... well... you'd probably be really lonely living there all by yourself, and it would be a good way for us to form a good bond together since I've already forgiven you." Asia said, finishing healing Raynare but still holding her hands.
Raynare looked at her, surprised by her answer, as Irina chimed in. "Are you sure, Asia-chan?" Irina asked, also curious and slightly concerned.
"Yes, I'm sure. I've lived in a church for most of my life, so it'll be nothing new for me. And while I do very much appreciate you and Jiro-san's care and hospitality, I can't just intrude on your personal space forever." Asia said, smiling reassuringly.
Jiro and Irina smiled at her response and nodded. "You heard the sister, she's staying with Raynare," Jiro said. Irina responded, "Yeah."
Raynare smiled and looked down at Asia. "Well then, I guess it's settled. I look forward to being roommates." Raynare said, to which Asia nodded, with excitement and determination.
The devils watched the scene and smiled slightly, especially Akeno, who slowly started to think that Raynare really wasn't that bad.
"Alright, let's head back into town. We still have some stuff to take care of," Jiro said as they all nodded and started flying back into town.
With that, they went back to town. The fires were all put out, leaving just some damaged buildings that Rias assured them would be easily fixed. Asia and Raynare went back to Jiro and Irina's house and gathered up all of Asia's stuff, from her church items, to her newly bought clothes, to her futon. Asia put them all into her brown backpack and a suitcase. Raynare carried her suitcase while Asia went up to hug Jiro and Irina, who returned the gesture. Then, Asia got onto Raynare's back. The two waved at the others and flew away back to the abandoned church.
Once they arrived at the church, they looked around at the messy, battle-torn main hall.
"Looks like we have some cleaning up to do," Raynare said, looking around with an annoyed smile since she was partly to blame for the mess from fighting the other fallen angels.
"Yes, we do, but I'm sure we'll get through it, no problem... Raynare," Asia said, looking up at her with a smile.
Raynare looked down at her in surprise, for this was the first time Asia had called her by her name normally. Raynare smiled and turned to look back at the church hall. Her smile then turned mischievous.
"I'm sure we will conquer Asia, but I'm sure it'll be easy since magic is a really useful thing. But right now let's find you a proper bedroom downstairs." Raynare said, taking Asia's hand and leading her down to the church's basement.
Meanwhile
Jiro began teleporting all the town's residents back to their homes or where they were before being teleported. With Irina and the devil's help, the process was much faster and easier. Soon after, Jiro snapped his fingers, and all the members of his gang, the Crimson Dragons, appeared before them. They were all covered in bandages, their injuries tended to, from their hard-fought battles with the fallen angels and exorcists.
When they noticed they had been teleported, they noticed Jiro and stood at attention. "Boss Jiro, Boss Irina, we dealt with all the fallen angels and stray exorcists, so the town is completely safe," they all said in unison. Jiro nodded, saying, "Good," and Irina giggled.
Each member of the student council then approached each of the 4 salamanders that helped them.
"Hey, happy to help ya. Gotta admit, you're pretty tough for someone so cute," Aika said, patting Koneko's head. Koneko pouted, but secretly liked it.
"Hey, thanks for the save and warning. Your flames are something else." Kiba said to Matsuda and Motohama, who smiled with pride.
"No prob, we are pretty great." Motohama said, smiling smugly.
"Yup, but we'll always be jealous of your good looks, Prince Charming," Matsuda said, to which Kiba chuckled sheepishly.
"You may be a little injured, but I'm glad you made it out of there, Issei," Rias said, approaching him. "Well, they were pretty tough, but it was nothing I couldn't handle, Red," Issei said, smiling confidently.
"Either way, I'm glad you're alright," Rias said, smiling genuinely while blushing slightly.
Issei blushed slightly in turn and looked away, while scratching the back of his head, as he said, "Heh, yeah, thanks."
"My, my, flirting already are we, despite only just meeting. A freaky pair aren't you?" Akeno teased while giggling, to which Rias yelled "AKENO!!!" and Issei chuckled nervously.
Irina chuckled at their banter as Jiro walked up and said "Hey" loudly, to which all the gang members jolted, ran to stand before him, and kneeled down lined up in rows, the 4 salamanders standing at the front.
"So, what the hell are those injuries about?" Jiro asked in a low tone that made them all shiver. Issei was the first to speak as he looked up.
"We're sorry sir, those fallen angels and exorcists were crazy stro- DON'T MAKE EXCUSES!!!" Jiro yelled cutting Issei off and punching him square in the face.
"GAAAAAAAH"
"DON'T TELL ME YOU LET THOSE LOW RANKING GRUNTS GET THE BETTER OF YOU AND LEAVE YOU BEATEN AND COVERED IN BANDAGES!!! I RECRUITED AND TRAINED ALL OF YOU SO YOU COULD BE THE STONGEST GANG OUT THERE!!! ARE YOU ALL TELLING ME YOU IDIOTS GOT COCKY AND STARTED SLACKING OFF?!!" Jiro yelled as he bursts in to flames.
They all looked up at him in offense.
Issei: "WHAT, NO WAY WE'RE BUSTING OUR ASSES ALL THE TIME WITH TRAINING!!!
Matsuda and Motohama in unison: THAT'S RIGHT! WE'RE GRINDING AT THE GYM AND SPARRING IN THE MOUNTAINS DAY IN AND DAY OUT!!!
Aika: AND WE DON'T STOP UNTIL OUR HANDS ARE BLOODY AND WE COLLAPSE FROM EXHAUSTION!!!
The other gang members all yell "YEAH!!!" in response.
"OH YEAH, THEN GIMMIE LESS TALK AND MORE ACTION!!!" Jiro yelled, making them look at him eyes wide as he continued.
"SHOW ME HOW STRONG YOU FOOLS CAN GET AND PROVE TO ME THAT YOU'RE STRONGEST GANG THERE IS AND THAT YOU'RE WORTHY OF BEING FOLLOWERS OF THE RED DRAGON EMPEROR!!! ITS MY JOB TO MAKE SURE YOU'RE ALL PROGRESSING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION, SO I WONT TOLERATE WEAKNESS, OR FAILURE!!!" Jiro yelled as they started tearing up at his encouragement.
"SO BY THE TIME I SEE YOUR FACES AGAIN I EXPECT ALL YOU LITTLE BASTARDS TO HAVE SURPASSED YOU LIMITS, TO THE POINT WHERE YOUR FLAMES ARE AS BRIGHT AND HOT AS THE SUN, TO THE POINT WHERE I WONT EVEN RECOGNIZE YOU!!! WELL?!!! DO I MAKE MYSELF CLEAR?!!!" Jiro yelled to which they all looked up at him, tears in their eyes, and looks of determination as they all yelled "YES SIR!!!" in unison.
"Alright then, hop to it." Jiro said calmly as he brings his flames down to which they stood up, nodded, and dispersed while waving to the group, Issei particularly waving at Rias who blushed slightly for a second. They all look at the gang members and then at Jiro in stunned silence as they all say 'Intense!' in their heads.
"Wow, look at that enthusiasm. They must really respect their fearsome leader." Akeno said, regaining her playful smile. The other devils and Irina chuckle at her words while made a "Hmph" sound.
"Anyway, I'll contact you four along with Raynare and Asia next weekend and we'll discuss future developments like training, potential threats, as well as my plans for all of you, and the the three factions as a whole. As for right now, go home." Jiro said, waving his hand for them to leave.
The student council and Irina all nodded in anticipation for what he has in store for them. Akeno summons a magic circle for the devils to leave, but before they do Rias steps off and approaches Jiro slightly.
"U-um, before we leave, c-can I ask you something?" Rias said, nervously.
"Hm, what is it?" Jiro said with an eyebrow raised.
"Well, being an heiress, I'm the next head of the House of Gremory, so I was just wondering... how does one become a good leader? One who carries an air of sheer authority and has the unyielding loyalty of those who follow them like you do?" Rias asked, making Jiro look at her eyes wide slightly caught off guard by her question before smirking.
Irina glances at her also caught off guard by her question. "Huh, shouldn't it be obvious. A good leader should have a proud heart, a good tactical mind, and the trust of all- No Irina." Jiro said cutting her off as she looks back at him.
"It's takes results and merit." Jiro said in a stern voice, making Rias look at him eyes wide.
"A proud heart and smart mind alone ain't gonna be enough to protect anyone. And your peoples trust is earned, not simply given. You want to know what it takes to be a good leader for when you become head of your house? Get results and gain merit, prove that you're the strongest and someone worth following. Anyone who can't do that, can't hope to stand at the top." Jiro said sternly.
Rias looked at him eyes wide as she listened intently. The wisdom in his words hitting her right to her core. "I see, I'll keep that in mind." Rias said, smiling at Jiro in determination and admiration, seeing part if her older brother in him.
"Good" Jiro said as Rias stepped back onto the magic circle. Akeno, Kiba, and, Koneko also smile at Jiro believing him to be someone worth following for them as well.
They wave and teleport away leaving Jiro and Irina there alone. "Well, well, look at you gaining traction, Boss Jiro." Irina said with a playful smile.
"Yeah, yeah, very funny, Boss Irina." Jiro said with a playful smile of his own.
They stand there looking at each other with affection for several seconds and then go back into their house hand in hand.
Meanwhile, in fallen angel territory in the underworld
Kalawarner, Dohnaseek, Mittelt, and Freed arrived at the entrance of the base of their sub-faction and walk down the halls. "Ugh, I can't believe all of that hard work and preparation just went up in smoke like that." Mittelt said in irritation while stomping her feet.
"DAMN IT, AND IT'S ALL BECAUSE OF THAT DRAGON BRAT, I WANNA KILL THAT LIZARD BASTARD!!!" Freed yelled, waving his fists irritation.
"If a human like you thinks he can take the Red Dragon Emperor in a fight, you have my condolences." Dohnassek said, looking at Freed like he's an idiot.
"That's enough you idiots, we have a bigger problem to deal with; explaining things to Lord Kokabiel." Kalawarner said turning towards the doors to Kokabiel's office as they all be quiet and gulp in anticipation.
Kalawarner opens the doors to find their commander in question sitting at his desk with his arms crossed. He was a tall, pale skinned man with long black hair and narrow, blood red eyes, pointy, elf-like ears and sharp fangs. He possessed five pairs of black wings, totaling a number of 10 wings, wearing a black robe with detailed accessories and purple shoulder pads with gold streaks on the side.
"Well, well, you fools sure took your sweet time." Kokabiel said, in his deep gravely voice, making them shiver.
He stands up from his chair, floats over his desk, and lands a few feet in front of them. "I don't sense the small army of fallen angels and stray exorcists I lent you and I don't see the Twilight Healing sacred gear or the flute Lullaby. Am I to assume that means you've falied your mission?" Kokabiel said glaring down at them as he flares his purple aura, making the four of them fall backwards and tremble in fear.
"W-wait, L-Lord Kokabiel, at least a-allow us to explain what happened." Kalawarner said, pleading and shakily with her hands up.
"Hm, fine, but there had better be a damn good explanation for this, Kalawarner." Kokabiel said, with an eyebrow raised, still shrouded in his purple aura.
"We completed our preparations for the ritual to take the nuns sacred gear and had Lullaby in our possession, however the Red Dragon Emperor and a few other stood in our way and took the nun while destroying Lullaby." Kalawarner explained, quickly.
"The Red Dragon Emperor? Was he wearing a red jacket and had red colored eyes?" Kokabiel asked, his eyes widening slightly at the mention of the name to which Kalawarner nodded frantically and said "Yes, that's him".
"Tch, so that brat wants to stand in the way of my plans once again, does he?" Kokabiel said, scowling in irritation, his aura increasing in size and the ground shook before he looked back down at Kalawarner.
"You said a few other helped him? Who were they exactly?" Kokabiel asked, curiously.
"They were followers of his we assume and they all used flame magic to fight against the soldiers you lent us. But the ones who fought against the four of us were Rias Gremory and her three servants as well as a pure angel who was allied with them." Kalawarner said as Kokabiel's eyes widened again before he smirks and brings his aura down.
"Is that so, what a coincidence. That little devil whore and her pets actually play a role in my next plan and a pure angel helped them? Who would've thought." Kokabiel said, and then looked at the four of them properly and realized one is missing.
"Hold on, I just realized. Where the hell is Raynare." Kokabiel asked with an eyebrow raised.
They all jolted at the mention of their former squad mate. "Raynare, she... she betrayed us. She allied herself with the Red Dragon Emperor and the others and helped them destroy Lullaby and keep the nun with Twilight Healing out of our grasp." Kalawarner said as Kokabiel scowled in anger.
"She what?! That traitorous little bitch! After all I had done for her." Kokabiel said in a low tone as the floor shook again slightly.
Kokabiel calmed down and smirked. "Well... no matter, I'll just find and slaughter her slowly when I put my plan for those devils in action. Is there anything else I should know?" Kokabiel said looking back down at the four of them.
"No, that is all, thank you for listening, Lord Kokabiel." Kalawarner said as they all bowed their heads and relaxed slightly.
"Oh no, you four should know me already. I don't allow failure of any kind to go unpunished." Kokabiel said with a threatening, mischievous smile, making them jolt and tremble again as they look back up at him in fear.
"Since the Red Dragon Emperor interfered and you four being far below his level, I'll go easy on you, just a bit. VALPER, GET IN HERE!" Kokabiel said with a mischievous smile before yelling at the end.
A few seconds later a short, bespectacled, elderly man with gray hair, a moustache, and black eyes, who wore a priest outfit stepped into the room.
"You called, Lord Kokabiel." Valper said, his hand behind his back.
"Yes, I did, your experiments and the finished product are done right?" Kokabiel asked to which Valper nodded.
"Good, I have the perfect test subjects in the form of these four." Kokabiel said as he outstretched his arm and Kalawarner, Dohnaseek, Mittelt, and Freed felt an invisible force grip their bodies and lift them into the air.
"Heh, heh, brilliant, what perfect timing and the perfect number of specimens." Valper said, chucking evilly as he summoned a small box in his hands and opened it revealing four syringes with a glowing purple vile in them.
Their eyes widen in fear as they look at the syringes with the mysterious liquid. "Heh, heh, wonderful, Kalawarner, Dohnaseek, and Mittelt will go first. Freed will go afterwards when I'm done discarding that useless human body of his." Kokabiel said making Freed look at him, eyes wide.
Kokabiel lowers the three fallen angels to Valpers hight. He grins as he picks up three of the needles and sticks it into their necks one by one. They wince at the stinging as he injects them with the substances.
When he pulls the needles out they don't feel anything abnormal, then a few seconds later excruciating pain go from the spot where he injected them and then spread to the rest of their bodies at fast pace. They all scream in agonizing pain as their veins bulge, threatening to burst at any moment. Freed watches in fear as he awaits his turn while Kokabiel and Valper laugh maniacally.
"Heh, heh, heh, if this works then maybe you four could be more useful to me in the future and during my next plan." Kokabiel said with an evil grin as Kalawarner, Dohnaseek, and Mittelt continue to scream in pain.
"Just you wait Sirzechs, Gabriel, and Azazel, It's only a matter of time until the next Great War."
To be continued
Like I said at the top Merry Christmas to all and what better present than the end of the first arc. :) ho ho ho
And speaking of which that's it we finally finished the Fallen Angels Arc and season 1 of the anime. Hope you enjoyed it.
Also this chapter happens to take the top spot as the longest chapter so far. Beating out chapter 12, so this is extra special.
Alright, now to address what you all must be thinking.
Yes Jiro's attacks are in fact the same attacks of Natsu Dragneel. The main difference being Jiro yells "dominate dragon's" instead of "fire dragon's". Why? Because Jiro is the red dragon emperor aka the dragon of domination, get it ;)
Another thing you all might be wondering anout is the way the attack "brilliant flame" is used. You see the move really has two different names, "brilliant flame" and "gleaming flame" depending on the translation of either the anime or the manga. Instead of just picking one name, I'm using both as two different attacks. The gleaming flame being used as it's normally used in the series while as for the brilliant flame, I'm gonna stand by this; the way Natsu used the attack in 100 years quest against Mercphobia was literally a flaming Kamehameha, so that's how I'm gonna use it here along with it being a secret art move.
Anyway next up we have the Kokabiel Arc and in the coming chapters we'll be bringing in a few more characters.
See you there :)